- Joined
- June 3, 2003
- Messages
- 3,252
- Reaction score
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- City, State
- Austin, TX
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- OBD-1 Kenobi
Well, i found a deal on ebay that i couldnt pass up. A pair of 2inch drop coils by DJM suspensions. A great deal. Along with those, i purchased 2 inch drop blocks for the rear. I could only go 2 inches because of the twin traction beam (TTB) front differential. The first generation explorers (1991-1994) do not have the torsion bar front suspension, so a tortion twist (TT) is not possible. they only available way to lower a first gen is drop coils (2x4 or 4x4) or drop spindles (2x4). A lot pf people have told me 'its dumb to lower a 4x4', 'why do that?', 'whats the point?'. well, my answer, its not something thats done a lot. and i want my ex to be really unique (although 4x4 lowering has been done)
i figured this post would be a good one-for-all-post for those interested in lowering 1st gen 4x4 ex's. I guess a write up.
Before the drop, my ex had pretty good highth distribution. Up front, from the ground to the lip of the fender, was 32 1/4 inches high. the rear was 31 3/4 inches high. Just a half inch difference.
heres a pic before the drop:
well, this weekend was good weather, so i decided to try my hand at lowering. heres all my lowering goodies
(2) DJM Drop Coils
(2) Gabrial VST gas riders shocks
1 pair of drop blocks with u-bolts
i started on the front, and got the new coils and shocks mounted.
then, i called it a night once i got the front done.
the next morning, i started on the rear. it was dirty back there.here is a pic of the rear ride highth before the drop.
then i started adding the blocks. the hardest thing on the blocks were getting the axle aligned up to the blocks. then just a matter of putting the ubolts un and tighting the nuts.
now, this is how it sits. it looks better in my opinion, sits better. the wheels fill up the wheel well better (although new wheels are on the way). Alot of explorer enthusists say that lowering a 1st gen is way harsh ride. the ride, for me anyway, isnt that much different from stock. it does 'articulate the road better'
, but the stiff shocks help with the ride. im very pleased with it, especially since i did it myself. well, thats it. tell me what all think!
(note, im not reponsible or liable for any damage to property or self when doin the same to your car. this is my account of this mod. i have to cover my arse, )
i figured this post would be a good one-for-all-post for those interested in lowering 1st gen 4x4 ex's. I guess a write up.
Before the drop, my ex had pretty good highth distribution. Up front, from the ground to the lip of the fender, was 32 1/4 inches high. the rear was 31 3/4 inches high. Just a half inch difference.
heres a pic before the drop:
well, this weekend was good weather, so i decided to try my hand at lowering. heres all my lowering goodies
(2) DJM Drop Coils
(2) Gabrial VST gas riders shocks
1 pair of drop blocks with u-bolts
i started on the front, and got the new coils and shocks mounted.
then, i called it a night once i got the front done.
the next morning, i started on the rear. it was dirty back there.here is a pic of the rear ride highth before the drop.
then i started adding the blocks. the hardest thing on the blocks were getting the axle aligned up to the blocks. then just a matter of putting the ubolts un and tighting the nuts.
now, this is how it sits. it looks better in my opinion, sits better. the wheels fill up the wheel well better (although new wheels are on the way). Alot of explorer enthusists say that lowering a 1st gen is way harsh ride. the ride, for me anyway, isnt that much different from stock. it does 'articulate the road better'
, but the stiff shocks help with the ride. im very pleased with it, especially since i did it myself. well, thats it. tell me what all think!(note, im not reponsible or liable for any damage to property or self when doin the same to your car. this is my account of this mod. i have to cover my arse,
)
. is that the brand name, ttb camer ecentrics? cause it will be next week prolly for i can get it aligned (money wise), the alignment shop im goin to says that the stock ones can be adjusted. is this true? just curious, trying to gather all the info i can.
.
